Molson Indy Vancouver

Last updated
Molson Indy Vancouver
MolsonIndyVancouverLogo.gif
IndyCar / CART / Champ Car
Location Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
49°16′34″N123°6′24″W / 49.27611°N 123.10667°W / 49.27611; -123.10667
Corporate sponsor Molson
First race1990
Last race2004
Most wins (driver) Al Unser Jr. (4)
Most wins (team) Newman/Haas Racing (3)
Team Green (3)
Most wins (manufacturer)Chassis: Lola (7)
Engine: Ford-Cosworth (4)
Honda (4)
Circuit information
SurfaceAsphalt/Concrete
Length2.865 km (1.780 mi)
Turns15
Vancouver Street Circuit
Grand Prix of Vancouver 1999-2004.png
Vancouver Street Circuit (1999–2004)
Location Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Time zone UTC-07:00
Coordinates 49°16′34″N123°6′24″W / 49.27611°N 123.10667°W / 49.27611; -123.10667
Opened30 August 1990;34 years ago (1990-08-30)
Closed25 July 2004;20 years ago (2004-07-25)
Major eventsFormer:
CART
Molson Indy Vancouver (1990–2004)
Atlantic Championship (1990–1999, 2001, 2004)
CASCAR Super Series (2001–2004)
Barber Pro Series (2000–2003)
Indy Lights (1990, 1992–1998, 2000)
Trans-Am Series (1999)
SpeedVision World Challenge (1999)
North American Touring Car Championship (1996–1997)
Street Circuit (1999–2004)
Length2.865 km (1.780 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:01.538 ( Flag of Colombia.svg Juan Pablo Montoya, Lola B2K/00, 2000, CART)
Street Circuit (1998)
Length2.866 km (1.781 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:06.939 ( Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves, Reynard 98I, 1998, CART)
Street Circuit (1994–1997)
Length2.660 km (1.653 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record0:55.136 ( Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi, Reynard 97I, 1997, CART)
Street Circuit (1991–1993)
Length2.699 km (1.677 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record0:59.513 ( Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Herta, Lola T94/00, 1993, Indy Lights)
Street Circuit (1990)
Length2.740 km (1.704 miles)
Turns17
Race lap record1:10.599 ( Flag of the United States.svg Mark Dismore, Swift DB4, 1990, Formula Atlantic)

Molson Indy Vancouver was an annual Champ Car race held in a street circuit near BC Place and running past Science World in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada held in July, August or September from 1990 to 2004.

Contents

On September 2, 1990, the first race took place on the original circuit, which was won by Al Unser Jr. From 1998, a new circuit was created to the east of the old Pacific Place, where only a small part of the original circuit was used. The circuit was popular with drivers and often produced an entertaining race. For most of its fifteen years, the Vancouver Indy attracted in excess of 100,000 spectators over the course of its weekends, and in 1996 held the Canadian single-day sporting event attendance record until it was beaten by the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal that year. [1] The final event in 2004 had race day attendance of 63,000 with a total three day turnout of 158,420 spectators. [2] However, from 2004, Vancouver was left off the Champ Car fixture list.

In July 2021 it was announced a new race for the electric-powered FIA Formula E World Championship, the Vancouver ePrix would be run on the reconfigured 2.21 km (1.37 mi) track on the same site. [3] [4] However on 18 June 2022, it was announced that the race contract was terminated. [5]

Controversy and cancellation

For much of its time in Vancouver, the Molson Indy was a source of considerable local controversy, as local residents complained of the noise and disruption caused by this major event. As the lands of the former Expo 86 site were developed into the billion-dollar condominium development by Concord Pacific, debates raged over whether the Indy made Vancouver a "world-class city" or an "urban nightmare." Such debates were chronicled by Mark Douglas Lowes in his 2002 book, Indy Dreams and Urban Nightmares: Speed Merchants, Spectacle, and the Struggle over Public Space in the World-Class City. [6]

The official explanation for the cancellation came from Jo-Ann McArthur, president of sponsoring Molson Sports and Entertainment, who stated that "the bottom line is the business model couldn't work". [7] The race had just two seasons left in the city, due to the impending construction of the Olympic Village for the 2010 Winter Olympics on the south end of the course. She stated that the lack of a long-term commitment to holding the event made it difficult to attract sponsors to continue the race. [8]

Following the cancellation, Champ Car continued to race in the Canadian cities of Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton as part of the 2005 season.

Layout history

CART/Champ Car race winners

SeasonDriverChassisEngineTeamReportRef
1990 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. Lola Chevrolet Galles-KRACO Racing Report [9]
1991 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti Lola Chevrolet Newman/Haas Racing Report [10]
1992 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti Lola Ford-Cosworth Newman/Haas Racing Report [11]
1993 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. Lola Chevrolet Galles Racing Report [12]
1994 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. Penske Ilmor Marlboro Team Penske Report [13]
1995 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. Penske Mercedes-Ilmor Marlboro Team Penske Report [14]
1996 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti Lola Ford-Cosworth Newman/Haas Racing Report [15]
1997 Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin Reynard Mercedes-Benz PacWest Racing Report [16]
1998 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dario Franchitti Reynard Honda Team KOOL Green Report [17]
1999 Flag of Colombia.svg Juan Pablo Montoya Reynard Honda Target Chip Ganassi Racing Report [18]
2000 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Reynard Honda Team KOOL Green Report [19]
2001 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Moreno Reynard Toyota Patrick Racing Report [20]
2002 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dario Franchitti Lola Honda Team KOOL Green Report [21]
2003 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Lola Ford-Cosworth Team Player's Report [22]
2004 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Lola Ford-Cosworth Forsythe Championship Racing Report [23]

Indy Lights/Atlantic winners

Indy Lights
SeasonWinning Driver
1990 Flag of Italy.svg Vinicio Salmi
1991 Not held
1992 Flag of the United States.svg Mark Smith
1993 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Herta
1994 Flag of Brazil.svg André Ribeiro
1995 Flag of Portugal.svg Pedro Chaves
1996 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Claude Bourbonnais
1997 Flag of Brazil.svg Cristiano da Matta
1998 Flag of Brazil.svg Cristiano da Matta
1999 Not held
2000 Flag of New Zealand.svg Scott Dixon
Atlantic Championship
SeasonWinning Driver
1990 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Claude Bourbonnais
1991 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Stéphane Proulx
1992 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Patrick Carpentier
1993 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Claude Bourbonnais
1994 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Empringham
1995 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Empringham
1996 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Patrick Carpentier
1997 Flag of the United States.svg Memo Gidley
1998 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Andrew Bordin
1999 Flag of the United States.svg Will Langhorne
2000 Not held
2001 Flag of the United States.svg Joey Hand
2002
2003 		Not held
2004 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ryan Dalziel

Lap records

The fastest official race lap records at Molson Indy Vancouver are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Street Circuit: 2.865 km (1999–2004) [24]
CART 1:01.538 [25] Juan Pablo Montoya Lola B2K/00 2000 Molson Indy Vancouver
Indy Lights 1:07.439 [26] Scott Dixon Lola T97/20 2000 Vancouver Indy Lights round
Formula Atlantic 1:09.214 [27] Jon Fogarty Swift 014.a 2004 Vancouver Formula Atlantic round
Barber Pro 1:14.675 [28] Leonardo Maia Reynard 98E 2003 Vancouver Barber Pro round
Street Circuit: 2.866 km (1998) [24]
CART 1:06.939 Hélio Castroneves Reynard 98I 1998 Molson Indy Vancouver
Indy Lights 1:10.995 [29] Cristiano da Matta Lola T97/20 1998 Vancouver Indy Lights round
Street Circuit: 2.660 km (1994–1997) [24]
CART 0:55.136 Alex Zanardi Reynard 97I 1997 Molson Indy Vancouver
Indy Lights 1:00.653 [30] Eddie Lawson Lola T93/20 1994 Vancouver Indy Lights round
Super Touring 1:10.414 [31] David Donohue Dodge Stratus 1997 Vancouver NATCC round
Street Circuit: 2.699 km (1991–1993) [24]
Indy Lights 0:59.513 [32] Bryan Herta Lola T93/20 1993 Vancouver Indy Lights round
Formula Atlantic 1:03.970 [33] Chris Smith Swift DB4 1992 Vancouver Formula Atlantic round
Original Street Circuit: 2.740 km (1990) [24]
Formula Atlantic 1:10.599 [34] Mark Dismore Swift DB4 1990 Vancouver Formula Atlantic round

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References

  1. ↑ Charters, David A. (2007). The Chequered Past: Sports Car Racing & Rallying in Canada, 1951-1991. University of Toronto Press. p. 240. ISBN   978-0-8020-9394-3.
  2. ↑ Sabine, Alex (2005). Autocourse Official Champ Car Yearbook 2004–2005. Crash Media Group Press. pp. 110–113. ISBN   978-1905334001.
  3. ↑ "SEASON 8 CALENDAR: Cape Town, Vancouver and Seoul feature on most expansive Formula E schedule yet". FIA Formula E . 8 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Canadian E-Fest Formula E Overview". Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  5. ↑ "Formula E nixes 2023 Vancouver race, cuts ties with local organizers". 18 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  6. ↑ Lowes, Mark Douglas (2002). Indy Dreams and Urban Nightmares . Toronto: University of Toronto Press. pp.  148. ISBN   978-0-8020-8498-9. Indy Dreams and Urban Nightmares: Speed Merchants, Spectacle, and the Struggle over Public Space in the World-Class City.
  7. ↑ "Molson ends Indy-car race in Vancouver". The Seattle Times . November 19, 2004. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  8. ↑ "Vancouver Molson Indy cancelled". CBC News . Toronto. November 18, 2004. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  9. ↑ "1990 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ "1991 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ "1992 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ "1993 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ "1994 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  14. ↑ "1995 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ "1996 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ "1997 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ "1998 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "1999 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ "2000 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  20. ↑ "2001 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  21. ↑ "2002 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  22. ↑ "2003 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  23. ↑ "2004 Molson Indy Vancouver". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Vancouver - Motor Sport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine . Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "2000 Vancouver Champ Cars". Motor Sport Magazine . 3 September 2000. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  26. ↑ "2000 Vancouver Indy Lights". Motor Sport Magazine . 3 September 2000. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  27. ↑ "2004 Formula Atlantic Vancouver". 25 July 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "2003 Barber Dodge Pro Series - Round 8: Vancouver, 27th July - Race Results". 27 July 2003. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  29. ↑ "1998 Vancouver Indy Lights". Motor Sport Magazine . 6 September 1998. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  30. ↑ "1994 Vancouver Indy Lights". Motor Sport Magazine . 4 September 1994. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  31. ↑ "NATCC 1997 » Vancouver Street Circuit Round 15 Results Results". 30 August 1997. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  32. ↑ "1993 Vancouver Indy Lights". Motor Sport Magazine . 29 August 1993. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  33. ↑ "Vancouver, Molson Indy Vancouver, August 29 Aout 1992". 29 August 1992. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  34. ↑ "Vancouver, Molson Indy Vancouver, August 31 Aout 1990". 31 August 1990. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
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